'Mouthy' Diamond handed a suspension

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Steve Diamond has been handed a six-week stadium ban after his feisty reaction after his side's 6-10 defeat to Exeter Chiefs.

Diamond appeared before an independent disciplinary panel and was charged with 'conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game'.

Following the defeat on Friday, October 27, Diamond gave a broadcast interview during which he allegedly failed to respect the authority of the match referee Craig Maxwell-Keys.

The 49-year-old was also fined and his club have been threatened with points deductions should Diamond's "unacceptable" behaviour continues.

This is not the first time, the coach's temper landed him in the hot seat.

In 2011, he was given a 12-week ban after pushing Northampton Saints performance director Nick Johnston.

While in 2012, the coach was banned for 18-weeks for abusing match officials, and in February 2017 he was handed a six-week touchline ban for a similar offence.

Chairman of the panel Ian Unsworth said: "The panel were disappointed that Diamond was before them once again charged with acting in a way which undermines the values of the game.

"The comments made in the post-match interview clearly and obviously undermined the referee and were an attack upon his character, competence and integrity. Those comments struck at the heart of the game’s core values.

"The game is built upon respect. There must be respect for officials.

"The panel made it clear that the continuing behaviour of Diamond is unacceptable and, if it continues, may lead a future panel to consider deducting points from Sale Sharks,"